On October 24, 2023, a by-election was conducted in the Antiguan seat of St. Mary's South in response to the resignation of Kelvin Simon, the sitting UPP member of parliament, due to challenges to his candidacy. It was Antigua and Barbuda's second election since Prime Minister Gaston Browne emerged victorious in the country's general election in 2023 with a narrow win.
The election was won by the UPP.[1] This was the first by-election held outside of Barbuda since independence in 1981.[2]
After the Labour Party contested the results of the 2023 Antiguan general election in St. Mary's South, Kevin Simon MP resigned from the seat to trigger a by-election. This was due to concerns of Simon being unduly nominated.[3] On 27 July 2023, the Labour Party candidate, Samantha Marshall, withdrew from the by-election, and future[4]senator Dwayne George was chosen as her replacement instead.[5] It was expected that the by-election would generate significant interest across the Caribbean region.[6]
The election date was announced on 30 September 2023 in Urlings, the date being 24 October 2023.[7][8] The writ of by-election was given by Governor-GeneralRodney Williams on 2 October 2023.[9]
